A Light in the Window Read Online Free Page B

“It’s awfully good to have you back, Marcy,” he said with a swipe of two more, his sweet tooth obviously explaining a bulkier frame than she remembered. “Especially if it means I’ll have fresh-baked cookies on a more regular basis.”
    Julie shot her father a mock scowl, feigning insult as she spooned cookie dough onto a sheet. “Papa, I’ve baked for you a lot without Marcy here, I’ll have you know.”
    Shifting Julie’s five-year-old brother Max to his other shoulder, Mr. O’Rourke sidled over to dispense a hug before depositing a kiss on Julie’s head. “Ah, yes, but not as well or as often, eh?”
    “Papa!” Julie laughed, pretending to elbow him away.
    “Oh, go on with you,” Mrs. O’Rourke said with a playful butt of her hip, bumping her husband out of the way so she could hug Marcy good and proper. The familiar scent of Pears soap and her trademark hint of lavender tickled Marcy’s nose along with the feather from a hat that crowned blue-black hair wisped with silver. “Goodness, Marcy, I almost don’t recognize you, you’ve grown so much in five years.” Her gaze was affectionate as she buffed Marcy’s arms. “How are your parents?”
    “They’re well, Mrs. O’Rourke, although Papa’s still looking for work.”
    Julie’s father slipped a thick arm around his wife’s shoulder. “It’s pretty dismal out there right now,” he said, his look suddenly sober. “But I know for a fact Gunther Machinery is hiring, so tell your father I’ll be happy to put in a good word.”
    “Thank you so much, Mr. O’Rourke,” Marcy said with genuine relief. “I’ll be sure to let him know.”
    “Do you remember me?” A miniature version of Julie stepped forward from a trio of female O’Rourkes, two of which were Julie’s twelve-year-old twin sisters who appeared either tired or shy. The fireball looked up at Marcy with dark eyes beneath a pert straw hat that complemented a white sailor dress. “Because I don’t remember you.”
    Marcy laughed and bent to give Julie’s seven-year-old sister a hug. “Of course I remember you, Erin, but you were only a toddler when I left, so I don’t expect you to remember me.”
    “Julie says you’re the best friend she’s ever had.” Erin tilted a head of black curls, and the navy ribbon on her hat followed suit.
    Marcy sent Julie a fond look. “Mine too.”
    “She says you’re gonna sleep here tonight,” she said with an innocent blink. “Maybe you can sleep in Sam’s bed because he doesn’t use it a whole lot anymore.”
    Marcy’s jaw went slack, the heat in her face giving the oven a run for its money.
    “Erin, hush,” Julie said with a blush that most likely matched Marcy’s. “Marcy will sleep with me because Sam needs his bed when he finally comes home.”
    “‘When’ being the key word,” Mrs. O’Rourke said with a weak smile in Marcy’s direction. “I wish Sam wouldn’t keep such late hours—it’s a poor example for the others.” A rueful sigh floated from her lips as she shot her husband a look of resignation. “But I’m afraid his father refuses to lay down the law.”
    “Sam’s a grown man now,” Mr. O’Rourke said with a wry twist of his lips as he filched his fourth cookie and homburg from the counter. He gave Marcy a wink that suggested he might have given his parents the same problem. “After boys graduate and begin working fulltime, they tend to burn the midnight oil and then some.”
    “But he won’t need his bed if he stays at Patrick’s,” Erin reasoned.
    “Sam mentioned staying here tonight, darling, although it’s safe to say they’ll be late.” Mrs. O’Rourke kissed Julie good night and hugged Marcy before prodding Erin toward the door, her husband close on her heels. “Come on, little one, it’s almost eleven, and we need to get you and Max to bed.” Her gaze lighted on Marcy with affection. “Marcy, I can’t tell you how good it is to have you home again, not just for Julie, but for